College of Veterinary Medicine Dean Neil C. Olson recently announced that Dr. Shuping Zhang has accepted the positions of professor and director of the Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory. She begins her roles at MU on Nov. 1.

Zhang received her veterinary degree in 1985 from Shanxi Agricultural University and a master’s degree in 1988 from Northwest Agricultural University, China. In 1999, she earned her doctorate in veterinary microbiology from Kansas State University. She received additional training in immunology and pathogenesis of infectious diseases at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory from 1992 to 1995 and Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine from 2000 to 2002. Zhang has been a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists since 2009.

In 2002, Zhang joined Mississippi State University as a clinical assistant professor and head of microbiology and serology at the Mississippi Veterinary Research and Diagnostic Laboratory. She was promoted to clinical associate professor in 2007. In 2010, Zhang joined the faculty of College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science of Texas A&M University, where she served as an associate professor and director of Clinical Microbiology Laboratory. At both institutions, she built strong disease surveillance programs and taught professional and graduate courses.

Zhang’s research focuses on pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases with emphases on avian infectious diseases and salmonella in birds and companion animals. The United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, Morris Animal Foundation, and other private foundations have provided funding for her work. She has published many research papers and case reports in peer reviewed journals.

She is an active member of American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, American College of Veterinary Microbiologists, American Veterinary Medical Association, and American Society for Microbiology. Zhang has been serving on the editorial board for Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation and is currently the co-chair of American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians Enteric Disease Committee.

Zhang is married to Michael with two daughters, Christine and Taylor Zhang. Her hobbies include reading, walking, and volunteering at local charity organizations. One of her favorite programs is Habitat for Humanity Women Build.